REVERSED CURVES

A reversed curve is formed by two circular simple curves having a common tangent but lies on opposite
sides.
Elements of Reversed Curve

P
C

T1

PC
tangents

PR
I2 C

T2

T2

I2

I1

R1 and R2

curvature

R2

T1

PT

=
=

radii of curvature
angle between converging tangents

PT
PRC

=
=

=
=

I2 + I 1
point of curvature

distance between parallel

point of tangency
point of reversed

Four types of reversed curve problems:

1. Reversed curve with equal radii and parallel tangents.
parallel tangents.

2. Reversed curve with unequal radii and

I/2

I/2

PC

T
1

I
2T
1

I
1

T1

T
I/2
1

PT

Long Chord from PC

to PT

I
I

R2

a
P

PRC

T1

R1

PRC

T
1I

PC

T2
1 I

T2

I/2
1

PT

Long Chord from PC

to PT

PT

3. Reversed curve with equal radii and converging tangents.

converging tangents.

4. Reversed curve with unequal radii and

I2
T1

T1

T2

PC

R
R
1

I2

I2

T1

I1

R2

PR
C

T2
I2

T2

T2
2

T1

P
T

I1

Sample Problem No. 1:

Two parallel tangents 10-m apart are connected by a reversed curve. The chord length from the PC
to the PT is equal to 120-m.
a.

Compute the length of the tangent with

common direction.

b.

Determine the equal radius of the reversed

curve.

c.
Compute the stationing of the PRC. If the stationing of A at the beginning of the tangent with
common direction is
3+420.

Sample Problem No. 2:

In a railroad layout, the centerline of two parallel tracks is connected with a reversed curve of unequal
radii. The central angle of the first and second curve is 16o and the distance between parallel tracks is 27.6
m. Stationing of the PC is 15+420 and the radius of the second curve is 290.
a.

Compute the length of the long chord from PC to PT.

b.

Compute the radius of the first curve.

c.

Compute the stationing of PT.

Sample Problem No. 3:

Two tangents converge at an angle of 30, the direction of the second tangent is due east. The vertical
distance of the PC from the second tangent is 116.50. The bearing of the common tangent is S40E.
a. Compute the central angle of the first curve.
b. If a reverse curve is to connect these two tangents, determine the common radius of the curve.
c. Compute the stationing of the PT if PC is located at 10 + 620.

Sample Problem No. 4:

A reversed curve connects two converging tangents intersecting at an angle of 30. The distance of this
intersection from the PI of the second curve is 150-m. The deflection angle of the common tangent from
the back tangent of the first curve is 20R. The degree of curve of the second simple curve is 6 and the
stationing of the point of intersection of the first curve is 4+450.
a. Determine the radius of the first curve.
b. Determine the stationing of PRC.
c. Determine the station of PT.

Plate No.3: Reversed Curve

The first curve of a reversed curve has a radius of 200-m. If the horizontal distance between PC
and PT is 110-m. Determine the following:
a. Radius of the second curve, so that the curve can connect two parallel tangents 18-m
apart.
b. The station of point of reversed curvature, if PI of the first curve is located at 10+095.
c. The station of PT.

Determine the following if the radius of the second curve is 750-m and the vertical distance
between the point of intersection of the two curve is 685.676-m.
a. Radius of the first curve.
b. Length of the reverse curve.
c. Station of PT if PI of the first curve is located at 8+000.
Two parallel railway tracks have a vertical distance of 60-m. They are connected by a reversed
curve, each section having the same radius. And the maximum horizontal distance between PC
and PT is 220-m.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Calculate the radius.

Determine the common tangent.
Determine the long chord.
Determine the length of the reverse curve.